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Lancaster: We got the top six inches right

James Mortimer 05 Dec 2012 Getty Images

England coach Stuart Lancaster has said that little changed during his team’s preparation for their match against the All Blacks over the recent weekend, but felt that there was considerable focus from his charges as they were unwittingly getting ready to spring arguably the year’s greatest ambush.

The World Champions arrived unbeaten in 20 Tests, and hadn’t lost to England since 2003, when Martin Johnson and a full strength soon to be World Cup winning outfit took down the All Blacks in Wellington, but many will argue that the 13-man English victory that day will be surpassed as time progresses by the famous win which saw this Red Rose side put more points on the New Zealanders than any white wearing team in history.

Lancaster said that the win was better than expected, but stood firm that England believed all week they could beat the World Champions on the hallowed turf of Twickenham.

"To put that scoreline on an All Blacks side that good is way beyond what we could have asked for,” the England coach said.

“We've had the belief all through the week.”

He said there was a feeling that with a 12-0 lead England were going to close out the game, with Lancaster saying he was impressed with his team’s attitude at the break.

"There was a lot of composure at half-time, real clarity of thought, and that's what's grown over the last few weeks,” he said.

“We've always had the energy and the attitude but today we put the top six inches on. I'm just chuffed for the boys, we've all copped it but we all stayed tight and I'm just pleased they've got their day in the sun."

England are now drawn in the World Cup with Wales and the Wallabies, and the current Six Nations champions could pull off a coup and get their pool match against the tournament hosts in Cardiff, part of the arrangement which saw the WRU support the English bid for the 2015 Rugby World Cup.

Lancaster said he hoped his team would play behind a home crowd.

“Clearly from our point of view Twickenham would be our preferred venue,” said Lancaster.

“What home advantage did for the Olympians is a great example of how it inspires people to an extra 5 or 10% and sometimes at this level that is what’s needed.”